Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun credits Thierry Henry for meteoric rise

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun is loving life at Reims, and the young striker has credited Gunners great Thierry Henry for his improvement and success in Ligue 1. 

Balogun excelled at a youth level before making ten appearances for the first team. He’s long been widely regarded at the club, but he initially struggled to settle at a senior level. After scoring just three times while out on loan at Middlesbrough last season, the ambitious young forward opted to join French club Reims for the 2022/23 campaign.

He –  along with manager Will Still – has since emerged as one of the stories of the season so far. Last weekend, Balogun became the youngest player since 1956 to score 17 goals in a Ligue 1 campaign when he netted against Marseille.

The striker’s now just one goal away from equalling Glenn Hoddle’s single-season scoring record by an Englishman in France.

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun credits Thierry Henry for meteoric rise

Balogun’s stellar season has given Mikel Arteta and Arsenal a serious dilemma. The club already has Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, who signed a lucrative long-term extension last year, on their books, with Balogun poised to return in the summer. There’s not a chance the Gunners keep all three for the 2023/24 campaign and beyond.

Balogun’s the most likely to depart with his breakout campaign poised to garner a healthy fee should potential suitors come calling.

The 21-year-old’s season in France has been littered with magical moments, but perhaps none more so than his last-gasp equaliser away at PSG which saw his boss, the unlicensed Still, rise to mainstream prominence.

Balogun was able to meet Arsenal hero Henry before the game in Paris, but that wasn’t the first time the young forward has spoken to the Frenchman.

“I saw him [Henry] a few times at the Emirates when I was at Arsenal but it was just passing conversations,” Balogun told The Athletic. “The first time I spoke to him in depth was against PSG. Funnily enough, he messaged me words of encouragement before the Monaco game, I scored the winner and then we messaged after the game.”

While the striker says his conversations with Henry are generally light-hearted, he added that the 45-year-old has given him some crucial advice.

“He’s big on accountability and that has definitely helped me this season. There have been moments where I’ve taken accountability and gotten the only goals in some games. It’s just about being a leader and a focal point throughout my career.”

Balogun would be wise to continue to learn from the all-time great as his journey continues beyond the 2022/23 campaign. While it appears likely that Arsenal will cash in on their blossoming young star this summer, there’s no doubt that supporters will be willing the Hale End graduate on wherever he ends up.